Notes and Editorial Reviews

Dr. Colleen Richardson leads the University of Western Ontario Wind Ensemble in a wide variety of modern college level symphonic band music. These contrasting works should have great appeal to band directors, musicians and audiences alike. The composers offer contrasting, imaginative works within an approachable, mainstream 20th century harmonic and melodic language. Highlights include "Apparitions" by Anthony Iannaccone, inspired by Walt Whitman's poem on the nature of an abstract idea, in this case translated through musical themes that appear and disappear, including a quote from Schubert's Erlking. The apparition motive is drawn from that part of the song wherein a terrified child is pursued by a ghost. The music flows alongRead more darkly with luminous flashes of light. It is effectively evocative and skillfully written for band. I hope the composer also makes an orchestral version someday as this piece would appeal also to symphony orchestra concert goers. Its fine enough to have an occasional performance in standard repertoire. British film composer Richard Rodney Bennett's "Elegy for Miles Davis" which is also the second movement from his Trumpet Concerto, can also stand alone as a dignified set piece with much muted brass and occasional piano evoking a quiet jam session in a closed nightclub, chairs up, after hours. Another English composer, Ernest Tomlinson is represented by a Suite of English Folk Dances which do everything you'd expect in tuneful, appealingly well-written music. Originally composed for orchestra in 1951 the suite was arranged for band by the composer in 2000. The tunes aren't unlike any favored by Vaughan Williams or Holst but the sound of the music itself is more Tomlinson who to my ears is a bit more reminiscent of Arnold's English Dances. In short, audience pleasing.

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